G'day sports fans,

In today's edition of Sport Journal;

🇦🇺 Finals Week 1 previews

🏉 Finals Week 1 previews

⚽️ Australians go to Aussie owned Greek club

🇦🇺 AFL

Result: Port Adelaide 58 (9.4) Geelong Cats 42 (5.12) Power win by 16; and surge into home prelim after domesticating stray Cats. Port Adelaide earns a week off and a home preliminary final after defeating Geelong. (match report)

Brisbane Lions (2.15) v Richmond Tigers (1.77): Richmond famously won by over 40 points against Brisbane last year on their way to a flag.

Obviously, a lot has changed in the last 12 months, but that hasn’t stopped the bookies from installing Richmond as the short-priced favourites heading into Friday’s game.

• Five of Richmond's last 6 finals matches have gone under total points (118.5)

St Kilda (2.15) v Western Bulldogs (1.77) - face off in 2020’s first Elimination Final. These teams were split by percentage alone at the conclusion of the home and away season, each having won 10 of their 17 matches.

• The underdog has won the last three matches between the two

West Coast Eagles (1.42) v Collingwood (3.05) - Back home after another unsuccessful period in Queensland, West Coast will host Collingwood just over two years after their meeting in the 2018 Grand Final.

• Each of Collingwood's last nine finals matches have gone UNDER total points line (109.5)

🏉 NRL

Qualifying final: Penrith Panthers (1.74) v Sydney Roosters (2.20), Today 7.50pm EST at Panthers Stadium. Sonny Bill out with neck injury.

After winning 15 straight games to claim the minor premiership, the Panthers face back-to-back premiers Sydney Roosters for a spot in the preliminary final.

• Penrith beat the Roosters 20-14 in round one.

• Penrith have covered the line in their last 9 night matches at Panthers stadium (-2).

Elimination final: Canberra Raiders (1.20) v Cronulla Sharks (5.0), Saturday 5.40pm EST at GIO Stadium

The Raiders defeated the Sharks in round 20 and they'll lock horns again - but this time in sudden death.

Canberra rested many of their stars last round and Cronulla are also due to get a host of players back for this do-or-die clash.

• Cronulla's last 11 away matches have gone over total points line (42.5)

Qualifying final: Melbourne Storm (1.22) v Parramatta Eels (4.70), Saturday 7.50pm EST at Suncorp Stadium

The Storm have been consistent all year, finishing second, while the Eels started strong but have mixed their form late.

• Josh Ado-Carr has scored the first try in Manly's last 2 finals matches against Parramatta (6.50)

Elimination final: South Sydney Rabbitohs (1.35) v Newcastle Knights (3.25), Sunday 4.05pm EDT at ANZ Stadium

Newcastle had all but sewn up a home final after round 19. But their shock loss to the Titans and South Sydney's mammoth win over the Roosters means the Knights will now travel to Homebush.

• Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs) has scored 2+ tries in three of his last 4 matches against Newcastle.

Pick the winning margins, win Sport Journal Merch!

⚽️ Football

Sydney tycoon Papas reveals radical plan to turn Greek club into Aussie hub | The World Game — theworldgame.sbs.com.au

The “football crazy” tycoon who’s enlisted a six-strong contingent of Australians for newly-acquired Greek club Xanthi FC is on a crusade to pave a pathway for a host of others to follow them to Europe.

UEFA Champions League Draw; Ronaldo v Messi

A-League Round up

• Paul Izzo joined Xanthi from Adelaide

• Lachlan Brook is set to sign in England

• Al Hassan Toure has interest in Europe

• Xanthi FC want to sign Riley McGree

• Mohamed Toure is set to sign in France then be loaned back to Adelaide for two seasons

• Max Crocombe left Brisbane for Melbourne Victory

• Riccardo Marchioli likely to join Victory's staff

• Ramy Najjarine has interest from A-League clubs, City unlikely to block a move

• Melbourne City considering loaning young players to France, Belgium

🏆 UEFA Player of the year Award

55 goals in 47 games; Robert Lewandowski's 2019/20 was something else!

🐴 Racing

Everest field taking shape

The Everest puzzle continues to take shape with confirmation Godolphin sprinter Trekking has secured his place in the elite field.

Trekking will join his James Cummings-trained stablemate Bivouac in next month’s Randwick sprint after the latter was locked in for Godolphin’s slot on Monday.

Santa Ana Lane has been locked into Coolmore, “It’s a great privilege to have Santa Ana Lane in the Everest for the third year running” said co-trainer Anthony Freedman.

Santa Ana Lane and Trekking were the minor placegetters behind Yes Yes Yes in the 2019 renewal.

🎾 French Open

Novak Djokovic continued his dominant start to the French Open with a ruthless straight-set win against Lithuanian world number 66 Ricardas Berankis in the second round.

The world number one won 6-1 6-2 6-2, meaning he has lost just 10 games in his first two matches.

Rafael Nadal looked in ominous form as he stepped up his pursuit of Roger Federer’s 20 major titles with a crushing win over 236th-ranked American Mackenzie McDonald.

The Spaniard batted aside McDonald 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 and will meet Stefano Travaglia of Italy for a spot in the last 16.

Second seed Karolina Pliskova has been beaten in the second round by Jelena Ostapenko, who produced a display reminiscent of that which won her the 2017 title in Paris.

Three-time champion Serena Williams has withdrawn from the French Open because of an Achilles injury.

🏉 Rugby

Revealed: Three teams to be added to Super Rugby Aotearoa in 2022, trans-Tasman crossover set for 2021 | RUGBY.com.au — www.rugby.com.au

New Zealand Rugby Chairman Brent Impey has confirmed that the five-team Super Rugby Aotearoa competition will continue in 2021, but has left the door open for a crossover tournament with Australia following the regular season.

🔁 Nic White's return to Australia prompts Wallabies halfback to shift south

Brumbies halfback Joe Powell has jumped ship to the Melbourne Rebels after six years in Canberra.

Currently with the Wallabies in New Zealand, preparing for the Bledisloe Cup, Powell fills a vacancy left in Melbourne with the departure of Ryan Louwrens back to Japan.

🇺🇸 USA

Lakers cruise to game one victory

LeBron James says the Los Angeles Lakers still have "a lot more work to do" after they comfortably beat the injury-hit Miami Heat 116-98 in game one of the NBA Finals.

Anthony Davis scored 34 points for the Lakers, with James adding 25 points and nine assists.

Jimmy Butler had 23 points for the Heat, who lost point guard Goran Dragic and forward Bam Adebayo to injury.

The Lakers went into the series as overwhelming favourites to land a record-equalling 17th NBA Championship title, 10 years after their last finals appearance.

📺 Live sport

Friday

⛳️ 06:00 - PGA Tour - Sanderson Farms Championship, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 08:00 - Copa Libertadores - Club Olimpia v Santos FC (BeIN Sports 1)

⚾️ 09:08 - National League Wild Card Series - San Diego Padres v St. Louis Cardinals (ESPN 2)

⚽️ 10:00 - Copa Libertadores - Club Atletico Tigre v Club Guarani (BeIN Sports 1)

🏈 10:20 - NFL - New York Jets v Denver Broncos (ESPN 1)

⚽️ 12:00 - Copa Libertadores - Delfin SC v Defensa y Justicia (BeIN Sports 1)

⚾️ 12:08 - National League Wild Card Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v Milwaukee Brewers (ESPN 2)

🏉 16:05 - Mitre 10 Cup - Bay of Plenty v Auckland Rugby (Fox Sports More)

🎾 18:50 - French Open, Round 3, Day 6 - Part 1 (Fox Sports or Fox Sports More)

🏉 19:50 - NRL Qualifying Final - Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters (Fox League or Nine)

🇦🇺 19:50 - AFL Qualifying Final - Brisbane Lions v Richmond Tigers (Fox Footy or 7mate)

⛳️ 20:30 - European Tour - Scottish Open, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 21:00 - UEFA Europa League Draw, Group Stage (Optus Sport 1)

🎾 22:00 - French Open, Round 3, Day 6 - Part 2 (Fox Sports or Fox Sports More)

🚴🏼‍♂️ 23:00 - UCI Men's World Tour, Binckbank Tour, Stage 4, 195.4km (Eurosport 1)

Saturday

⛳️ 06:00 - PGA Tour - Sanderson Farms Championship, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

🏏 10:10 - Women's ODI Series - Australia v New Zealand (Fox Cricket or 7TWO)

🏀 11:00 - NBA Finals - Los Angeles Lakers v Miami Heat (ESPN 1)

🏉 11:05 - Mitre 10 Cup - Counties Manukau v Manawatu (Fox Sports More)

🏉 11:30 - NRLW Premiership - Sydney Roosters Women v St George Ill. Dragons Women (Fox League or Nine)

🐴 12:05 - Listed Race, Darley Maribyrnong Trial Stakes, 1,000m - SW, 2YO (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1 or 7)

🐴 12:40 - Listed Race, Poseidon Stakes, 1,100m - SW+P, 3YO (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1 or 7)

⛹🏻‍♀️ 13:00 - Super Netball, Major Semi-Final - Melbourne Vixens v Sunshine Coast Lightning (Nine)

🐴 13:15 - Listed Race, Paris Lane Stakes, 1,400m (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1 or 7)

🏉 13:35 - Mitre 10 Cup - Northland v Taranaki (Fox Sports More)

🐴 13:50 - Group 2 - Gilgai Stakes, 1,200m (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1 or 7)

🐴 14:10 - Group 2 - Hill Stakes, 2,000m (7 or Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

🐴 14:25 - Group 2 - Edward Manifold Stakes, 1,600m (7 or Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

🐴 14:45 - Group 1 - Flight Stakes, 1,600m (7 or Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

⚽️ 15:00 - J1 League - Consadole Sapporo v Vegalta Sendai (Optus Sport 1)

🏉 15:00 - NRLW Premiership - Brisbane Broncos Women v Warriors Women (Fox League or Nine)

🐴 15:25 - Group 2 - Premiere Stakes, 1,200m (7 or Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

🐴 15:45 - Group 1 - Turnbull Stakes, 2,000m (7 or Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

⚽️ 16:00 - J1 League - Cerezo Osaka v Kawasaki Frontale (Optus Sport 2)

🐴 16:05 - Group 1 - Epsom Handicap, 1,600m (Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

🏉 16:05 - Mitre 10 Cup - Canterbury Rugby v Wellington Rugby (Fox Sports More)

🐴 16:25 - Group 2 - Blazer Stakes, 1,400m (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1 or 7)

🇦🇺 16:40 - AFL Elimination Final - St Kilda Saints v Western Bulldogs (Fox Footy or 7mate)

🐴 16:45 - Group 1 - The Metropolitan, 2,400m (Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central or 7)

🐴 17:05 - Listed Race - UCI Stakes, 1,800m (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1 or 7)

🏉 17:40 - NRL Qualifying Final - Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks (Fox League or Nine)

🐴 17:49 - Group 3 - Pacers Garrards Real Rewards Pace, 1,609m (Sky Racing 1)

🐴 18:45 - Listed Race - Kalgoorlie Cup, 2,200m (Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

🎾 18:50 - French Open, Round 3, Day 7 (Fox Sports or Fox Sports More)

🏍 19:00 - SBK France Superpole, Round 7 (Fox Sports)

🏉 19:50 - NRL Elimination Final - Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels (Fox League or Nine)

⚽️ 20:00 - J1 League - Oita Trinita v Shimizu S-Pulse (Optus Sport 2)

🏏 20:00 - Indian Premier League - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Rajasthan Royals (Fox Cricket)

⚽️ 20:00 - K League 1 - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors v Pohang Steelers (Optus Sport 3)

🇦🇺 20:10 - AFL Elimination Final - West Coast Eagles v Collingwood Magpies (Fox Footy or 7mate)

🏍 20:20 - WorldSSP300 France Superpole, Round 6 (Fox Sports)

⛳️ 21:00 - European Tour, Scottish Open, Round 3Fox Sports

⚽️ 21:00 - Spanish La Liga - Real Valladolid v Eibar (BeIN Sports 1)

🚴🏼‍♂️ 21:10 - UCI Men's World Tour - Giro d'Italia, Stage 1, 15.1 km - ITT (Eurosport 1)

⚽️ 21:30 - Premier League - Chelsea v Crystal Palace (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 21:30 - English Championship - Norwich City v Derby County (BeIN Sports 2)

🏍 22:00 - SBK France Race 1, Round 7 (Fox Sports)

🎾 22:30 - French Open, Round 3, Day 7 - Part 2 (Fox Sports or Fox Sports More or SBS)

🏍 23:15 - World SSP France Race 1, Round 7 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 23:30 - German Bundesliga - Borussia Dortmund v SC Freiburg (BeIN Sports 3)

🏉 23:30 - Challenge Cup Semi-Final - Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors (Fox League)

Sunday

⚽️ 00:00 - Spanish La Liga - Atletico Madrid v Villarreal (BeIN Sports 1)

🏏 00:00 - Indian Premier League - Delhi Capitals v Kolkata Knight Riders (Fox Cricket)

🏍 00:30 - World SSP300 France Race 1, Round 6 (Fox Sports)

🏉 03:00 - Challenge Cup Semi-Final - Salford Red Devils v Warrington Wolves (Fox League)

⚽️ 03:00 - Italian Serie A - Genoa v Torino (BeIN Sports 2)

🏈 03:00 - NCAA - West Virginia Mountaineers v Baylor Bears (ESPN 1)

🏈 03:00 - NCAA - Florida Gators v South Carolina Gamecocks (ESPN 2)

⚽️ 03:30 - German Bundesliga - RB Leipzig v Schalke 04 (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 03:30 - Premier League - Leeds United v Manchester City (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 03:30 - Spanish La Liga - Real Sociedad v Getafe (BeIN Sports 1)

⛳️ 04:00 - LPGA Tour - ShopRite Classic, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

🏍 04:00 - Speedway World Championships, Torun Speedway GP, Round 8 (Fox Sports)

🚘 05:30 - Grand Prix of Indianapolis Race, Round 13 (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 05:45 - Italian Serie A - Udinese v Roma (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 06:00 - France Ligue 1OGC Nice v Nantes (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 06:00 - Premier League - Newcastle United v Burnley (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 06:00 - Spanish La Liga - Valencia v Real Betis (BeIN Sports 1)

🏈 06:30 - NCAA - Kansas Jayhawks v Oklahoma State Cowboys (ESPN 2)

⛳️ 07:00 - PGA Tour - Sanderson Farms Championship, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

🐴 08:45 - Group 1, Preakness Stakes, 1,900m (Sky Racing 1)

⚽️ 10:30 - MLS - Toronto FC v Philadelphia Union (BeIN Sports 2)

🏈 10:30 - NCAA - Georgia Bulldogs v Auburn Tigers (ESPN 2)

⚽️ 11:00 - MLS - Houston Dynamo v Sporting Kansas City (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 11:00 - MLS - Inter Miami CF v New York City FC (BeIN Sports 1)

🏉 12:05 - Mitre 10 Cup - North Harbour v Tasman Mako (Fox Sports More)

🏉 12:05 - Mitre 10 Cup - Southland v Waikato (Fox Sports)

⛹🏻‍♀️ 13:00 - Super Netball Minor Semi-Final - West Coast Fever v NSW Swifts (Nine)

⚽️ 13:00 - MLS - Seattle Sounders v Vancouver Whitecaps (BeIN Sports 3)

👊🏻 13:30 - UFC Fight Night Main Card - Holly Holm v Irene Aldana (ESPN 1)

⚽️ 13:30 - MLS - San Jose Earthquakes v LA Galaxy (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 14:00 - MLS - Portland Timbers v Colorado Rapids (BeIN Sports 1)

🏉 14:35 - Mitre 10 Cup - Otago v Hawke's BayFox Sports More

🏉 16:05 - NRL Elimination Final - South Sydney Rabbitohs v Newcastle Knights (Fox League or Nine)

⚽️ 18:00 - J1 League - Yokohama F. Marinos v Vissel Kobe (Optus Sport 1)

🐴 18:35 (TBC) Group 1 - Sprinters Stakes (Sky Racing 2)

🎾 19:50 - French Open, Round 4, Day 8 (Fox Sports More)

🏍 20:00 - SBK France Super pole Race, Round 7 (Fox Sports)

🚴🏼‍♂️ 20:30 - UCI Men's World Tour Classic, 257km (SBS Viceland)

⚽️ 21:00 - Spanish La Liga - Osasuna v Celta Vigo (BeIN Sports 2)

🏏 21:00 - Indian Premier League - Mumbai Indians v Sunrisers Hyderabad (Fox Cricket)

⚽️ 21:00 - K League 1 - Incheon United v Suwon Samsung Bluewings (Optus Sport 4)

🏍 21:00 - Motocross MXGP of Lombardia (Eurosport 1)

⛳️ 21:30 - European Tour, Scottish Open, Round 4 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 21:30 - Serie A - Atalanta v Cagliari Calcio (BeIN Sports 1)

🏍 21:30 - World SSP France Race 2, Round 7 (Fox Sports)

🚴🏼‍♂️ 22:00 - UCI Men's World Tour, Giro d'Italia, Stage 2, 149km (Eurosport 1)

⚽️ 22:00 - Scottish Premiership - St. Johnstone v Celtic (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 22:00 - Premier League - Southampton v West Bromwich Albion (Optus Sport 3)

⚽️ 22:00Premier League - Leicester City v West Ham United (Optus Sport 2)

⚽️ 22:30 - FA Women's Super League - Manchester City Women v Tottenham Women (Optus Sport 4)

🎾 22:30 - French Open, Round 4, Day 8 (Fox Sports More or SBS)

🏍 23:00 - World SBK France Race 2, Round 7 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 23:00 - La Liga - Deportivo Alaves v Athletic Club Bilbao (BeIN Sports 2)